Abstract
Endothelial function is crucial in the pathogenesis of circulatory and cardiovascular toxicity; epidemiologic research investigating the association between phthalate exposure and endothelial dysfunction remains limited. We examined the associations between exposures to specific phthalates (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP; di-n-butyl phthalate, DnBP) and circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles (EMPs and PMPs) in adolescents and young adults. Of the 697 participants recruited, anthropometric measurements and health-related behaviors relevant to cardiovascular risks were collected and assessed. Urine and serum were collected and analyzed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and flow cytometry. Multiple linear regression indicated that increases in urinary concentrations of ΣDEHP and MnBP (mono-n-butyl phthalate), across quartiles, were positively associated with serum EMPs level (p for trend <0.001 and <0.001; β = 0.798 and 0.007; standard error = 0.189 and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, female and overweight subjects had higher MnBP, and males were more vulnerable to DnBP exposure compared to females. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a dose-response relationship between exposures to phthalates (ΣDEHP and MnBP) and microparticle formation (EMPs and PMPs) in adolescents and young adults. The findings indicate that exposures to phthalates of both low and high-molecular weight are positively associated with microparticle production, and might contribute to endothelial dysfunction; such damage might manifest in the form of atherosclerotic-related vascular diseases. Future in vivo and in vitro studies are warranted to elucidate whether a causal relationship exists between phthalate exposure and EMPs and PMPs.
Highlights
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Phthalate exposure and toxicity is of major concern to public health; among these groups of environmental chemicals, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a key component in consumer and personal care products worldwide
We hypothesize exposures to ΣDEHP and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) are likely to induce endothelial dysfunction, and initial damage may manifest in increased counts of circulating microparticles in serum; we propose a cross-sectional investigation in a cohort to elucidate whether exposures to DEHP and DnBP
Results yielded from our present study indicated significant positive associations existed between phthalate exposure and the formation of microparticles, which might be indicative of endothelial dysfunction
Summary
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Phthalate exposure and toxicity is of major concern to public health; among these groups of environmental chemicals, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a key component in consumer and personal care products worldwide. The production volume of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), another commonly used plasticizer, ranged between one and ten million pounds in the USA by 2020; in Asia, the demand for DBP remained high, with an estimated production of 7000 tons in Korea [1,2]. Remained consistent at approximately 10,000 tons [3]. In light of the abundant use of DEHP and DBP [1], the health hazards posed to the general population through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact with both natural and man-made products continue to exist. Based on the EU risk assessment report, DBP exposure poses general systemic toxicity to humans via repeated dermal exposure from aerosol forming activities [4]
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